During our lifetimes, most of us will not achieve a level of greatness that will be recognized by the multitudes world round. Ted Kennedy is a man who will be remembered for his public service, following in the path of his two slain brothers, Jack and Bobby, whom we will always think of as “Forever Young.” It is hard to imagine that almost 50 years have passed since his first endorsement for the Senate by his countrymen of Massachusetts.
Today, Boston TV news is carrying photos, stories, and continuous coverage of the Senator and upcoming memorial events. A leader who surmounted many obstacles during his lifetime, he was true to his Irish roots. He fought for democratic principles and was a champion of the less fortunate. Like most politicians, he had acquired his fair share of enemies who would be the first to point out his human frailties and foibles. He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
Today, as person after person is interviewed, it is clear everyone wants to remember Senator Kennedy as approachable and friendly, as one who remembered peoples’ names, and a person who was truly interested in what the other party had to say, a rare bird in this “me, myself, and I” society.
It is said that if you make the person you are speaking with the center of attention, that person will think that YOU are a great conversationalist! We could all take a lesson. He had that knack!
Even though the Senator was experiencing a disease with an expected fatal outcome, death seems to come “like a thief in the night,” even when it is expected. We have lost another great statesman. Even if others did not agree with “Teddy,” his commanding presence must have won hearts and minds, if only due to his own solid convictions.
With every death, we are reminded of our own mortality. If we thought only of the possibility of our own demise, we’d walk around crying all the time, or experience a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The lesson we should take away from any death is that for those of us still living, every minute, every hour, is an opportunity to make someone else smile, to go beyond ourselves and reach out, and to be all that we can be, at any given moment of our lives.
Life is an equal opportunity employer. “And when they find that you can fiddle, fiddle you must, all of your life.”
“Fiddler Jones”:
http://www.quiltersmuse.com/fiddlerjones.htm
We are sad at the news of Ted Kennedy’s death. The nation can’t help but mourn this fallen leader. To read more about his life and career, visit this file:
Ted Kennedy (1932-2009)
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
Tags: Ted Kennedy
